Quick release buckle



Feb. 9, 1965 c. JOHN, JR., ETAL Qurcx RELEASE BUCKLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 25, 1965 www i E E NJVM m I 5 A v M /,m @n mu Cd wm.iIlillllllllllllllflfllllIllllll Feb. 9, 1965 C. JOHN, JR, ETAL3,168,770

QUICK RELEASE BUCKLE Filed Jan. 25, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORSCHA/P455 Jay/5 Je BY duLes A. /CqurM/W United States Patent Oilice3,153,77@ Patented Feb. 9 1965 3,168,770 QUECK RELEASE BUCKLE CharlesJohn, Jr., Astoria, and Jules A. Kaufman, Bronx,

NX., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Phillips-Van HausenCorporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed lan. 2S,1963, Ser. No. 253,792 2 Claims. (Cl. 24--230) This invention relates toa quick release buckle. It relates particularly to a quick releasebuckle intended for use with safety belts of the type worn by occupantsof automobiles and aircraft.

It is an object of this invention to provide a quick release bucklehaving no selective mode of connection; that is, a buckle of which thenormally separable elements or assemblies may be connected or latchedtogether without regard to any twisting of either or both of the safetybelt portions to which they are attached.

It is another object of the invention to provide a quick release bucklehaving two latch pawl elements pivotably positioned on a mounting platemember with a single spring element also positioned on said mountingplate tending to maintain -both of said latch pawl elements in latchingattitude.

It is another object of this invention to provide a quick release bucklehaving a plurality of latch pawl elements pivoted on a mounting platemember with the latch pawl elements being separately engageable with andrequiring individual actuation for disengagement from a latch element tominimize the possibility of accidental release of the buckle.

It is another object of this invention to provide a quick release bucklehaving at least one latch pawl element pivoted on a mounting platemember, this latch pawl element being characterized by a high mechanicaladvantage under manipulation by the buckle wearer to allow easydisengagement of the latch pawl element from a latch element, and,correspondingly, easy release of the buckle even though the buckle ybeloaded heavily through the safety belt portions to which it is attached.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention as wellas its nature and substance will be more clearly perceived and fullyunderstood by referring to the following description and claims taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a side elevation view of `the quick release buckle ofthis invention with the normally separable elements or assemblies of thebuckle in separated or disconnected condition;

FIG. 2 represents a partly exploded view of the latch retaining assemblyof the quick release buckle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents a view in section through the quick release buckleshown in FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 therein looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FlG. 4 represents a view in section through the quick release buckleshown in FIG. 1 taken along line 4 4 therein looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIG. 5 represents a View in section through the quick release buckleshown in FIG. l taken along line 5-5 t therein looking in the directionof the arrows;

FIG. 6 represents a side elevation View of the quick release buckle ofthis invention generally similar to the showing of this buckle in FIG.l, but with the cover sectioned away from the latch retaining assemblyof the buckle;

FIG. 7 represents a side elevation view of the quick release buckle ofthis invention generally similar to the showing of this buckle in FIG.6, but with the latch element and latch retaining assembly of the bucklehaving been pushed together into engaged or connected condition; and

FIG. 8 represents a side elevation View of the quick release buckle ofthis invention generally similar to the showing of this buckle in FIG.7, but with the latch ele ment of the `buckle being disengaged from thelatch pawl elements and partly withdrawn from (or partly inserted into)the latch retaining assembly of the buckle.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, especially to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4,and 5 thereof, the quick release buckle ot this invention generallydesignated 1? comprises a right hand or latch element generallydesignated l2 and a left hand or latch retaining assembly generallydesignated 14. As shown in FIG. 1, latch element 12 is attached to asafety belt portion 16, while latch retaining assembly 14 is attached toa complementary safety belt portion 1S. Adjustment of the overall lengthof the safety belt is made in a manner well known to the art throughmanipulation of standard clamp or buckle 2t) adjacent latch retainingassembly 1d of quick release buckle 16.

Latch retaining assembly 14 includes a mounting plate generallydesignated 22 to which are spot welded or riveted a pair of latchelement guide blocks generally designated 2d and 26 and a latch pawlseat generally designated Z8. Pivotably iitted in and to seat 23 arelatch pawls generally designated and 32 which -tend to be maintainedspread apart by action of double-leaf or hairpin-type spring 34 which issecured around an up-turned portion 36 of the mounting plate 22. Themounting plate is also characterized by up-turned portions 33, 40 and d2against which latch element guide blocks 24 and 26 and latch pawl seat28 are located respectively. Additionally mounting plate 22 ischaracterized by horizontal leg portions 44 and do having up-turnedportions 4S and 5d at their respective outer ends. A .belt adjustmentbar motion limiting bar 52 is formed with or welded across the legportions of the mounting plate. Also included in latch retainingassembly 14 are belt adjustment bar 54 around which safety belt portion1S passes; cover 56 `which makes sliding engagement on and over mountingplate 22 and the buckle parts positioned thereon, and screw 53 wherebycover 56 is detachably connected to mounting plate 22.

Referring next to FIG. 6, latch element 12 is separated `from butoriented and aligned for entry into latch retaining assembly 14. Thelatch element includes two prong o1' horizontal leg portions 60 and 62.These leg portions are characterized respectively by outer guidesurfaces 64 and 66, inner guide surfaces 63 and 7i), and latchingengagement surfaces 72 and 74. Latch element guide blocks 24 and 2e arecharacterized respectively by inner guide surfaces 76 and '78. Latchpawl seat 28 is characterized by outer guide surfaces 8) and 82. Guidesurfaces '76 and '78 are spaced to permit and provide a fairly closesliding fit of guide surfaces 64 and 66 inside of them, and guidesurfaces Si) and 82 are spaced to permit and provide a fairly closesliding t of guide surfaces 68 and '70 outside of them as leg portions60 and 62 of latch element 12 are inserted into latch retaining assembly1d.

Latch element leg portions 6o and 62 are of essentially identical sizeand shape although configured oppositely. The arrangement of guideblocks 24 and 26 and latch pawl seat 28 is symmetrical about ahorizontal axis along the centerline of the guide block seat.Accordingly, assuming that either safety belt portion 16 or 18 weregiven aghalf twist, the leg portions of latch element 12 could still belinserted into'latch retaining assembly 174 with leg portion 6@ passingbetween guide block 26 and latch pawl seat 23 and leg portion 62 passingbetween .the latch pawl seat and guide block 24.

Latch pawls 3@ and 32 are rather generally L-shaped.

aresfwo 2? At their one ends they are provided respectively withrounded, knob-like portions Sli and Se which are adapted to have closeturning lits within the arcuate cut-out regions of latch pawl seat 2S.At their other ends, latch pawls 30 and 32 are providedY respectivelywith lingerpressure an-d motionastop pieces 8S and 9d. These pieces bearagainst inside surfaces or edges of cover 56 as shown in FlG. 6 toarrest the outward motions of the latch pawls under the influence ofspring 34. Pieces S8 and 90 are characterized respectively bymanipulation surfaces 92 and 94 accessible through cub-.out regi-ons incover Se and against which thumb or finger pressure may be exertedA bythe wearer of quick .release buckle 10 to rotate the latch pawlsinwardly against .the force of spring 3d. lt is to be noted that eachlatch pawl requires separate manipulation or thumb or finger pressureapplication to be rotated inwardly. Said in other words, inward rotationof one latch pawl will not by itself cause such rotation of the otherlatch pawl.'

Latch pawls Bil and 32 are characterized respectively by guide surfaces96 and 93. These surfaces may be brought into essential alignmentrespectively with guide surfaces and 8?. on the latch pawl seat as thelatch pawls are 'rotated inwardly. A condition of `such alignment isshown, lfor example, in FlG. 8. Latch pawls 30 and 32 are alsocharacterized respectively by latching engagement surfaces 100 and 102.

Referring next to FIG. 8, and supposing that latch element 12 is movingto the left with respect to latch retaining assembly le as indicated bythe arrow above the latch element, latch element leg portions 60 and 62have entered part way into the latch retaining assembly from theircondition of being completely withdrawn shown in FIG. 6. The penetratingmovement of the latch element leg portions has caused their leading endsto bear upon guide surfaces 96 and 98 of latch pawls 30 and 32 and,owing .to the initial inclination of these surfaces, rotate the latchpawls inwardly against the lforce of spring 3d.

Referring next .to FIG. 7, latch element l2 has been moved as far aspossible to the left with respect to latch retaining assembly 14. Thisfinal movement, that is, movement of the latch element to the left withrespect to the latch retaining assembly from its, the latch elements,position relative the-reto shown in FIG. 8, has caused inner guidesurfaces 68 and 70 on latch element leg portions 60 and 62 to completelyoverride guide surfaces 96 and 98 on latch pawls 30 and 32, with theresult that the latch pawls have been allowed to be rotated outwardlyunder the influence of spring 34 to bring latching engagement surfaces100 and 102 on the latch pawls in behind latching engagement surfaces 72and 74 on the latch element leg portions. Quick release bucklecomprising latch element 12 and latch retaining assembly 14 is now inlatched condition, and, short of anactual breakage of parts, is notsusceptible to becoming unlatched by any pull on safety belt portions 16and i3 however heavy.

Referring finally to FIGS. 7 .and 8, quick release buckle 10 isunlatched or released by exerting inward pressure on manipulationsurfaces 92 and 94 of thumb-pressure pieces 88 and 90onlatchtpaw1s 30and 32. Even though safety belt portions 16 and 18 be heavily loaded,the thumb-pressure pieces can be depressed easily to rotate the latchpawls inwardly. This is because of the high mechanical advantage thatlatch pawls 30 and 32 provide to a buckle wearer exerting pressure onsurfaces 92 and 94 to rotate the latch pawls inwardly over any momentson these pawls'` tending to rotate them outwardly exerted by even veryheavy loading on safety belt portions 16 and tated inwardly to permitrelease of buckle l0. Inward rotation of only one of them is notsufficient for this purpose. The double latching effect of latch pawlsand 32 enacting with latch element leg portions 60 and 62 minimizes thepossibility of accidental release of the buckle through inadvertent orrandom depressing of the thurnbipressure .pieces or one of them.

@nce thumb-pressure pieces SS and90 have been depressed suficiently farto bring latching engagement surfaces 100 and 102 on the latch pawls inclear of latching engagement surfaces '72 and 74 on the leg portions oflatching element 12, quick release buckle 10 is effectively released,and its latch element l2 may be moved to the right away from its latchretaining assembly i4. Such vmovement is indicated by the arrow belowthe latch element in PEG. 8.

Protection by Letters Patent of this invention in all its aspects as thesame are defined in the appended claims is sought to the greatest extentthat the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

1. A quick release buckle comprising, a latch element consisting of -aplate adapted to be connected to a first safety belt portion, said latchelement having two substantially parallel leg yportions projecting fromit, said leg portions having latching engagement surfaces near their Yends, a latch-retaining assembly including a base plate 13 actingthrough latch element leg portions 60 and 62. 70

On the other hand, both of the latch pawls must be roand a closure platethereover, said plates defining a shallow substantially rectangularhousing into which the leg portions on the latch element are insertedthrough an open entrance end of the housing, the base vplate having aloop engaged by a second belt portion, the base plate having aseparating element mounted on it adjacent to said open end, whichseparating element is disposed between the leg portions when such legportions are positioned in the housing, said separating elementhavingarcuate recesses in its opposite edges, a pair of pawls disposedin the housing, each pawl having a rounded nose at one end fitted in oneof the recesses and permitting pivotal movement of the pawl, each pawlhaving a notch for engagement by one of the latching surfaces on thelegs, each pawl having Aan integral finger piece, each `pawl beinggenerally L-shaped in configuration, the housing having aperturesthrough which said finger pieces are accessible, and a wish-bone typespring fitted on the base plate and having legs engaging the pawls andpivotally biasing them away from one another. 1

2. A quick release buckle as provided for in claim 1, wherein the nosesof the pawls and the recesses in which said noses are located arepositioned closer to the entrance opening in the housing than are thenotches in the pawls, and said notches in the pawlsare engaged by thelatching engagement sur-faces on the legs at positions behind thepivotal points of the pawls, said spring normally urging each pawlfinger piece into engagement with a wall `portion of `the housingdefining a respective one of each ofthe apertures, and said spring,recesses and wall portions formingthe sole means for retaining the pawlsin said housing.

VDONLEYv l. STOCKING, Primary. Examiner.

1. A QUICK RELEASE BUCKLE COMPRISING, A LATCH ELEMENT CONSISTING OF APLATE ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A FIRST SAFETY BELT PORTION, SAID LATCHELEMENT HAVING TWO SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL LEG PORTIONS PROJECTING FROMIT, SAID LEG PORTIONS HAVING LATCHING ENGEGEMENT SURFACES NEAR THEIRENDS, A LATCH-RETAINING ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A BASE PLATE AND A CLOSUREPLATE THEREOVER, SAID PLATES DEFINING A SHALLOW SUBSTANTIALLYRECTANGULAR HOUSING INTO WHICH THE LEG PORTIONS ON THE LATCH ELEMENT AREINSERTED THROUGH AN OPEN ENTRANCE END OF THE HOUSING, THE BASE PLATEHAVING A LOOP ENGAGED BY A SECOND BELT PORTION, THE BASE PLATE HAVING ASEPARATING ELEMENT IS DISPOSED BETWEEN THE END, WHICH SEPARATING ELEMENTIS DISPOSED BETWEEN THE LEG PORTIONS WHEN SUCH LEG PORTIONS AREPOSITIONED IN THE HOUSING, SAID SEPARATING ELEMENT HAVING ARCUATERECESSES IN ITS OPPOSITE EDGES, A PAIR OF PAWLS DISPOSED IN THE HOUSING,EACH PAWL HAVING A NOTCH FOR ENGAGEMENT BY ONE OF THE RECESSES ANDPERMITTING PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE PAWL, EACH PAWL HAVING A NOTCH FORENGAGEMENT BY ONE OF THE LATCHING SURFACES ON THE LEGS, EACH PAWL HAVINGAN INTERGRAL FINGER PIECE, EACH PAWL BEING GENERALLY L-SHAPED INCONFIGURATION, THE HOUSING HAVING APERTURES THROUGH WHICH SAID FINGERPIECES ARE ACCESSIBLE, AND A WISH-BONE TYPE SPRING FITTED ON THE BASEPLATE AND HAVING LEGS ENGAGING THE PAWLS AND PIVOTALLY BIASING THEM AWAYFROM ONE ANOTHER.